VDMA: Germany machinery orders up 14 percent

By: EUROPEAN PLASTICS NEWS

August 20, 2013

Orders for German plastics and rubber machinery rose 14 percent in the second quarter, after several months of decline.

"Although the first half year as a whole still shows a 6 percent decline, the industry is pleased to report that in the last three months incoming orders have picked up again after a year of negative growth," said Ulrich Reifenhäuser, chairman of VDMA, the trade group that represents German plastics and rubber machinery makers.

The 6 percent quarterly growth means total sales for the first half of the year now match the sales for the same period in 2012, according to VDMA.

The group says exports rose 9.7 percent over the March-May period. China, India and Turkey showed substantial growth rates, while the upward trend in exports to Russia and the United States continued.

VDMA plans to give a more detailed breakdown of the industry at the K show in Germany in October.